Can you use cannabis during pregnancy?

Jamie Sorenson
May 4
2 min read

Rates of cannabis use during pregnancy have dramatically increased in recent years with more states legalizing this substance. There is a lot of misinformation about it's use during pregnancy and many women make the assumption that smoking it is the primary risk. There is no data to support that edible marijuana, cannabis or weed are safe to use in pregnancy, yet many women are using it to manage nausea, anxiety, and insomnia during pregnancy.

Recent studies suggest that cannabis increases the risk of ADHD and deficits in executive function. The results were mixed on whether cannabis increases the risk of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Cannabis is also associated with increased risks to baby during pregnancy including: Spontaneous and medically indicated preterm birth, Very preterm birth, Low birth weight , Small-for-gestational age, Large-for-gestational age, Any major congenital anomaly. Cesarean section, and Gestational diabetes. Cannabis use may also increase the risk of placental insufficiency which is dangerous for mother and baby.

Researchers think that cannabis interacts with endocannabinoid receptors in the frontal lobe (the part of the brain involved in executive function and decision making). This impact would occur with both smoking and edible use. It is also consistent with what we know about cannabis impacting the adolescent and developing brain. In fact, it is much lower risk to abstain from cannabis until the frontal lobe is fully developed after age 25 years old (to reduce risk of mental health issues such as schizophrenia or cannabis use disorders).

It is very difficult to do studies on cannabis in pregnancy due to shame and stigma. Many women probably under report their use and are even afraid to report their use. I previously worked in Georgia and was very surprised to find that any woman who was positive for any substance at the birth of her child was referred to my community mental health center for treatment, whether they wanted treatment or not. The most common referrals were for positive urine drug screens for cannabis. I do not think that these referrals made a positive impact, I cannot imagine being a mother postpartum and forced to see a psychiatrist for cannabis use. I think the mother's would have been much more engaged in care if they had been offered the referral instead of forced.

There’s a lot of misinformation on the internet about cannabis use in pregnancy, but it carries pretty close to the same risks as tobacco use during pregnancy. Please talk to your doctor about your nausea, anxiety, insomnia, etc whatever is driving you to the Mary Jane use and consider alternatives like therapy or seeing a psychiatrist.

#mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #momlife #mentalhealthmatters #pregnancy #pregnant #anxiety #insomnia #nausea